Tag Archives: family car

Automakers are making a concerted effort to appeal to families looking for a new vehicle that will suit their needs. Chrysler is redubbing the “soccer mom” the “supermom,” and the 2014 Honda Odyssey will come with a convenient built-in car vacuum for cleaning up stray Cheerios and animal crackers. Kia is the latest to reach out to parents, particularly moms, with a new online-only series featuring The Game and Sister, Sister star Tia Mowry.

“POPSUGAR Circle of Moms, Everyday Answers” will be available weekly on POPSUGAR.com with eight total episodes. Each episode will feature Mowry and other moms taking care of everyday errands and other family tasks using the 2014 Kia Sorento CUV. They will also share personal parenting stories and offer tips and advice to new and veteran parents alike.

Kia has already announced that the show will showcase the Sorento’s “family-friendly” features including fold-down third row seating, its Blind Spot Detection System, and more. Michael Sprague, executive vice-president of marketing and communications at KMA, spoke enthusiastically about the partnership, saying, “By partnering with POPSUGAR Circle of Moms, people will be able to see how the Sorento works in real-world scenarios for all types of everyday family activities.”

Annette Gallo, Vice President of Integrated Marketing at POPSUGAR Inc, was similarly excited, saying POPSUGAR was “thrilled” about the partnership. In a joint press release with Kia, Gallo stated, “We continue to push the boundaries of campaign creativity…and this campaign is another great example of that mission.”

“POPSUGAR Circle of Moms, Everyday Answers” is available weekly at POPSUGAR.com.

Monday was April Fool’s Day, and this year, a number of automakers pulled off some pretty hilarious pranks. In case you missed them, here’s a rundown of some of the best pranks this year.

First up, BMW decided to take on the celebrity baby craze by announcing the new BMW PRAM (Postnatal Royal Auto Mobile), designed specifically for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby. While the baby isn’t due until summer 2013, BMW thought they would get a jump on their competitors and build a stroller fit for royalty, complete with a paparazzi-proof hood and air conditioning.

Check out BMW’s PRAM here:

Next, Mini announced they would be branching out into matchmaker services. Mini drivers can create a profile on their in-car app Connect Us, and the app will match them with another Mini driver according to shared interests, driving style, and frequently visited locations. The in-car GPS will even suggest great date spots nearby so they can meet up right away.

Check out Mini’s Connect Us here:

Finally, my personal favorite of the day was Chevrolet’s idea for Corvette enthusiasts with a growing family. Instead of trading in the beloved Corvette for a sensible family car, drivers can now pick up an AeroWagonette for more seating space. The AeroWagonette is a trailer that hooks onto the back of Corvettes and comfortably seats 3 children. Its slick design also matches the look of the Corvette, so drivers won’t have to sacrifice style with their family car.

Check out the AeroWagonette here:

Readers, we want to hear from you! What was your favorite car-related April Fool’s Day prank? Do you wish that any of these products were real? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

At Approved Loan Store, we love a good classic car, which is why we were so intrigued by a beautiful 1918 Chevrolet D-Series that will be up for auction in Hershey, Pa. next month.

What makes this particular car special besides its age and pristine condition is that the family selling the car is the same family who originally bought the car nearly a hundred years ago. According to a profile in the Wall Street Journal, the car has been passed down in the family for generations. The first owner was Elam Becker who received it as a gift from his father John Becker. Throughout the years, it was a good car for the family, and it was dubbed the “Honeymoon Car” after Becker drove to Washington D.C. and eloped with his then-fiancée.

When Becker bought a new car in 1928, he put the “Honeymoon Car” in storage and didn’t bring it back out until 1949 when he began restoring the car. He started doing car shows and events with his wife, and they always brought along their 1918 Chevrolet. In 1974, they even celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Hershey Fall Meet with their beloved car. After that, they gave the car to their son who is now selling it nearly 40 years later.

For car enthusiasts and anyone who loves a healthy dose of nostalgia, this car is a dream. It will probably sell for around $35,000 to $45,000 and will come with the original order sheet, bill of sale, and owner’s manual. The auction is scheduled for Thursday, October 11 thru Friday October 12 in Hershey, Pa., and you can get more information on the auction by contacting RM Auctions.

The mini-van might be the classic family car, but new mom and dad drivers have more options open to them in 2012. There are vehicles on the market today that offer comfort, more space, and different styles than the typical “family car.”

Of course, not every car shopper knows what it available on the market to meet their needs, and as a result, they might miss the opportunity to find what they want and what they need all in the same car. For this reason, Parents magazine and Edmunds.com teamed up to make a list of the 15 most family-friendly cars.

Their list was based on numerous factors including safety, price, and the features offered in the vehicle. Additionally, they spoke with everyday parents who “drive these vehicles every day” and know all the advantages and disadvantages personally. Also, they broke the list down into High Mileage, Budget, Crossovers, Sedans, and Large Vehicles, 5 categories total, with 3 vehicles in each category. The least expensive car listed was the Chevrolet Sonic starting at $14,600, and the most expensive was the Dodge Durango starting at $29,990, so there is a car on the list for every budget.

Car buyers have been struggling along with the auto industry and now are both seeing an upturn in their situation with the economy finally recovering. With more money in their pocket, they are wanting to get back in the seat. The problem the industry is facing, however, is how to advertise to the interested party.

According to a report by the Foresight Research, buyers have begun to turn away from advertising that makes the car out to be “sporty” or “fun to drive.” People are looking to get quality out of their vehicle, they care more about seeing a vehicle as “competitive” and in “discounts.”

The constant rising of gas prices has also given rise to the consumer who wants to make sure that their car has good fuel economy. The report also notes that brand recognition still plays a large role in what people purchase. Due to that, it’s not really surprising that the strong sales in February were in part to the fuel efficient cars such as the Honda Civic and Ford Focus.

Go online to Approved Loan Store and apply to get driving away in the car you want, be it practical for the family or for a sporty fun ride. Be sure to check out and like our Facebook page to see all the latest on news and testimonials from our satisfied customers.